The following narrative was written by Dennis Dougherty: "Trip McCool" is my slightly altered ego. He is the man I try to be, or would like to be. It all relates to a revelation I had.

I, Dennis Dougherty was standing on county lane in Donegal, Ireland staring at an old cottage. It was only two rooms separated by a wall with a fireplace in it. The roof was gone, the windows broken and the wood frames rotted away. Trees and bushes overgrew the little building...no longer needed. It had done it's job. It had probably been home to generations of the same family. It was not my ancestral home, but it could have been. Here in these fields, the tenants worked, sweated and died all with the intention to make life for their children and grandchildren a bit easier. Here, dreams of America and prosperity were born while the weak and the young died.

It was then that it hit me...I was the living product of their dreams. I was the man that they suffered, scraped and bled for. I was the embodiment of their prayers for a better life.

It took several years for an idea to come to light. Write an album of songs that celebrate the Irish-American experience.

So here is the product of that idea, "The Traveler", songs written with the love of 'The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem' and 'The Dubliners', with modern sensibilities.

Trip allows me to bridge the gap between reality and fiction, pride and shyness, and America and Ireland. He allows me to say thank you to my past.

And now a few words from Trip, "This is the culmination of many years of my past all summed up in this one piece of work. It reflects my love of the art of songwriting and storytelling while paying respect to my musical heros The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, and all those who would put a tune to a story and bravely stand up in front of their friends and family and brave the consequences good and bad. It took a full year to write and record this collection and so I proudly take to my feet. I can only hope these songs mean as much to you as they do to me."

Celtic Radio Comments:
Once in a while an album comes along that makes you go "Wow" - that is the reason why we first started listening to Celtic Music. Trip McCool has produced that "Wow" album and we would invite you to check out this compilation of talented songwriting and storytelling. These songs are raw, honest and fun to listen while having a few toasts with your friends. Trip has a powerful voice that will have you humming and singing along, almost like you were in a local pub. Certainly these songs will entertain you now and years from now.

We just could not better sum up in the words that Dennis Dougherty writes above, but we can tell you that you will love Trip McCool - so add this one to your list for St. Patrick's Day! 5 Irish stars from Celtic Radio!